Animation has taken a significant turn in the film industry with the arrival of 'Flow' — iMDB listing –, the film directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis that won the award Oscar for Best Animated Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. This achievement not only highlights the creativity and effort of the production, but also marks a milestone in the use of open source software in the film industry.
Tape, created entirely with Blender, has been hailed for its innovative visual style and dialogue-free narrative, in which a dark grey cat and a group of animals confront a world drastically transformed after a natural disaster. The combination of fluid animation, perfect use of lighting and an evocative soundtrack have positioned 'Flow' as one of the most outstanding animated films of the last decade.
A journey from Cannes to the Oscars
The trajectory of 'Flow' in international festivals has been impressive. Its global premiere took place at the prestigious Cannes 2024, within the section Un Certain Regard, where it received high praise for its artistic style and dialogue-free narrative approach. After its passage through other important events, such as the Annecy Festival, the film grossed more than 60 awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film and multiple awards from the public and critics.
Blender's role in production
One of the most revolutionary aspects of 'Flow' is its development with Blender, an open-source 3D modeling and animation software that has gained ground in the industry in recent years. Unlike the proprietary programs used by major studios, Blender allowed Zilbalodis and his team to work with complete flexibility and without the costly rendering times that high-budget productions often face.
The real-time rendering engine EVEE was key to the process, as it allowed scenes to be viewed with great fidelity without resorting to extremely powerful hardware. According to the director, The scenes were rendered on his own computer in times ranging from 0,5 to 10 seconds per frame, which facilitated a much more efficient production. This approach resembles the way other applications are used within the free software field, highlighting its effectiveness in various scenarios.
Production with a reduced team
Unlike many animated films that feature hundreds of artists across multiple departments, 'Flow' It was made with a team of only 20 people. The production, which spanned more than five years, was headquartered in Latvia, where animators, modelers, and technicians worked in a shared space. Each took on multiple roles to keep the workflow streamlined within a limited budget of around $100,000. 3,5 millones de euros, a figure well below industry standards.
The challenge of animation without dialogue
One of the most distinctive elements of 'Flow' is the total absence of dialoguesThe story is developed solely through animation, character expression and sound design, which represents a unique creative challenge. To achieve this, the team studied real animal behavior and integrated sound effects recorded in natural environments, ensuring that each interaction was as realistic as possible.
The realism of water and other effects in Flow
One of the most complex technical aspects of the film was the water simulation, a central element in the story. To achieve this without resorting to external software, key team members Mārtiņš Upītis and Konstantīns Višņevskis created specific tools within Blender, allowing them to generate fluid effects that organically integrate with the rest of the scenes. This advanced level of detail highlights Blender’s potential in cinematic animation.
Flow: a benchmark for independent animation
The recognition of 'Flow' at the Oscars is a milestone not only for animated cinema, but for the independent industry. The film is a clear example of how the creativity and innovation They can compensate for the lack of big budgets, opening the door for new filmmakers to bet on the FOSS in their projects. This reflects a growing trend where more and more filmmakers are turning to accessible tools that allow them to express themselves without economic limitations.
Zilbalodis himself has assured that he will continue using Blender in his future productions. With this achievement, 'Flow' has set a precedent, demonstrating that accessible tools They can be as powerful as commercial solutions in the hands of artists with a clear and defined vision.